Rules for leaving Ukraine for men in 2024

IMPORTANT: From July 17, 2024, the presence of a military registration document is a mandatory condition for crossing the border by men aged 18 to 60. You can submit both a paper and an electronic version of the document. In the absence of a military registration document, crossing the border to leave Ukraine will be refused.

What categories of men can go abroad?

1. Men who are not subject to conscription:

The provisions of the law on mobilization do not change the border crossing rules for men aged 18 to 60, which are regulated by Resolution No. 57 of the CMU.

Men who are not subject to conscription are allowed to leave Ukraine - men over 60 years old, as well as young men who have not yet turned 18 years old, because in Ukraine the age of conscripts is from 18 to 60 years old.

2. Conscripts who have the right to a deferment:

- Men whose close relatives (wife, son, daughter, father, mother, brothers or sisters, etc.) died or went missing during the anti-terrorist operation or during the containment of Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine during martial law.

- Men removed from military registration due to their health.

- Men with disabilities of I, II, III groups.

- Men accompanying a person with a disability of the I or II group or a sick relative.

- Men with many children, supporting three or more minor children. Arrears for payment of alimony for more than three months deprive the right to postponement and crossing the border.

- Men raising children on their own.

- Men with permanent residence abroad.

- Men (military servicemen) going for treatment, rehabilitation or training.

- Men of certain professions, the list of which we provided below in this article.

3. Representatives of certain professions:

- Members of the ship's crew going to work on seagoing vessels and inland waterway vessels.

- Aviation personnel going on a business trip or training.

- Employees of railway transport.

- Military personnel undergoing military training abroad.

- Military personnel going on vacation (with permission from the military unit).

- Employees of the diplomatic service who are sent on official or long-term business trips and members of their families.

- Drivers of vehicles licensed for international transportation of passengers and cargo.

- Coaches and athletes to participate in official competitions and training meetings.

- Volunteer drivers who transport humanitarian aid, cargo for the Armed Forces and medical cargo.

- Culture workers (hosts, artists, showmen) for charitable fundraising for the Armed Forces.

List of documents for men to travel abroad

1. Passport of a citizen of Ukraine.

2. Foreign passport.

3. Documents confirming the reason for and the possibility of going abroad: extract from the protocol of the TCC with the adopted decision on postponement, the conclusion of the MSEK on recognizing a person temporarily unfit for military service due to his health for a period of up to 6 months, military registration documents with a record of postponement - temporary license or military card, etc.

A detailed list of documents for traveling abroad for each category of men is in this article.

Comment Spokesman of the State Border Service of Ukraine Andriy Demchenko:

"For men who have the right to cross the border due to a postponement, this norm must be noted in their military registration documents. And also, if the border guards have any doubts or reservations, including the document in general, they can check this information through the "Oberig" system.

If we talk about drivers who transport goods or passengers who transport humanitarian aid, in addition to the military registration document, information in the "Slyah" system is required, as well as administrative documents and confirmation of the purpose of the trip."

Rules for women leaving Ukraine in 2024

Changes in border crossing rules following the approval of the new Mobilization Law apply only to men, and therefore no restrictions are foreseen for women in connection with the entry into force of the new Mobilization Law. Ukrainian women can freely cross the state border, both for exit and entry.

List of documents for women to travel abroad

1. Passport (valid for at least 6 months from the date of departure)
2. Insurance policy
3. Visa or confirmation documents for visa-free entry (depending on the country to which Ukrainian women are going), etc.

Comment Spokesman of the State Border Service of Ukraine Andriy Demchenko:

"Border restrictions apply only to male citizens of Ukraine aged 18 to 60. Therefore, Ukrainian women can freely travel outside the state."

Departure from Ukraine for students in 2024

On April 2, 2024, Resolution No. 366 On Amending the "Rules for Crossing the State Border by Citizens of Ukraine" was adopted, which allowed male students to leave:

- Whose age is from 18 to 22 years old, therefore they are not subject to conscription for military service during mobilization.

- Study full-time in higher education institutions of Ukraine of state or communal ownership and obtain a bachelor's degree (master's degree in medicine, pharmacy or veterinary field).

- They are participants in educational academic mobility.

- They go to study in foreign educational institutions for a period of 1 semester.

However, it is worth noting that this category of citizens must also update their data in the TCC and have military registration documents with the appropriate markings.

Comment Spokesman of the State Border Service of Ukraine Andriy Demchenko:

"Students are prohibited from leaving the borders of Ukraine during martial law. Apart from a small category of students between the ages of 18 and 22 who go abroad for the purpose of academic mobility.”

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Rules for leaving Ukraine with children in 2024

During martial law, numerous formalities regarding the departure of children abroad were simplified. According to the legislation of Ukraine, children under the age of 16 are allowed to travel outside of Ukraine only when accompanied by an adult. Depending on the degree of kinship, it is necessary to provide a certain list of documents.

Documents for traveling abroad with a child

1. One of the parents or guardians: the notarized consent of the other parent is not required, it is enough to have a birth certificate or a passport of a citizen of Ukraine for children over 14 years old.

2. Close relatives: grandmother, grandfather, stepmother, stepfather, adult brothers and sisters. You must have a birth certificate or a passport of a citizen of Ukraine for children over 14 years old, as well as documents confirming family ties. Notarized parental permission is not required. However, it is necessary to submit a written statement from one of the parents, certified by the guardianship authority.

3. Third parties: you must have a birth certificate or a passport of a citizen of Ukraine for children over 14 years old, as well as relevant documents confirming the identity of an adult. In addition, the written consent of one of the parents, certified by the guardianship authority, is required to cross the border. A notarized permission for the child to travel abroad is also suitable. The notarized consent requires the original passports of both parents, their RNOKPP, as well as the child's birth certificate.

Read how to apply for a passport for a child and how much it costs in 2024 here.